James W. "Jim" Taylor

November 9, 2026 | James W. “Jim” Taylor, 100, of La Crosse, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026. On December 09, 1925, James W. “Jim” Taylor, was the fifth and last child born to Ralph F. and Lillian W. Taylor. Jim was educated in the Bellwood Public Schools completing high school in the newly formed Bellwood-Antis School District. After finishing his junior year, he attended summer school in Tyrone, Pennsylvania to obtain sufficient credits for graduation in the Bellwood-Antis High School Class of 1944. Jim enlisted In the United States Navy in September 1943 and served for 32 months during World War II. He was Honorably Discharged in May 1946, with the rank of Aviation Technician’s Mate, First Class. His final 11 months of service were with Fleet Air Wing 2 based out of Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. He returned home in late May 1946 and thereupon achieved a Private Pilot’s Certification.

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